Financial Empowerment Workshops to Improve Life Skills for Former Foster Youth

This paper focuses on the Transitional Age Youth Housing Navigation Program (TAY NAV), overseen by the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Inc., designed to assist former foster youth between the ages of 18 and 24, who are at risk of homelessness after exiting the foster care system. TAY NAV provides various services, including housing support, case management, employment preparation assistance, and access to essential resources like first-month rent and security deposits. The program currently serves 30 participants with diverse backgrounds in Santa Cruz County. A significant challenge faced by former foster youth is the lack of familial support, which exacerbates their housing instability and leads to higher risks of substance abuse, incarceration, and poor mental health. This capstone project focuses on the development of two financial literacy workshops to empower TAY NAV participants with essential life skills such as budgeting, credit-building, and learning how to become financially responsible. These workshops aim to enhance the long-term independence of former foster youth. Findings suggest there was a lack of engagement or interest from participants due to low attendance. 75% of the participants who signed up for the workshops did not attend. A recommendation for the agency is to host hybrid workshops to increase audience engagement and accessibility for participants.